Pica | definition of pica by Medical dictionary Pica | definition of pica by Medical dictionary Definition Pica is the persistent craving and compulsive eating of nonfood substances. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, classifies it as a feeding and eating disorder of childhood. Description The puzzling phenomenon of pica has been recognized and described since ancient times. Pica has been observed in ethnic groups worldwide, in both primitive and modernized cultures, in both sexes, and in all age groups. The word pica comes from the Latin name for magpie, a bird known for its unusual and indiscriminate eating habits. In addition to humans, pica has been observed in other animals, including the chimpanzee. Pica in humans has many different subgroups, defined by the substance that is ingested. Some of the most commonly described types of pica are eating earth, soil or clay (geophagia), ice (pagophagia) and starch (amylophagia). However, pica involving dozens of other substances, including cigarette butts and ashes, hair, paint chips, and paper have also been reported.

In one unusual case, the patient ingested transdermal patches of fentanyl, an opioid medication given for severe pain . Eating the skin patch increased the patient's dose of the drug by a factor of 10. Although pica can occur in individuals of any background, a higher incidence of pica is associated with: developmental delay and mental retardation psychiatric disease and autism poor nutrition or low blood levels of iron and other minerals certain cultural or religious traditions Causes and symptoms Evidence suggests that there may be several causes of pica. One widely held theory points to iron deficiency as a major cause of pica. Several reports have described pica in individuals with documented iron deficiency, although there has been uncertainty as to whether the iron deficiency was a cause of pica or a result of it. Because some substances, such as clay, are believed to block the absorption of iron into the bloodstream, it was thought that low blood levels of iron could be the direct result of pica. However, some studies have shown that pica cravings in individuals with iron deficiency stop once iron supplements are given to correct the deficiency. Another study looked specifically at the rate of iron absorption during pica conditions and normal dietary behavior, and showed that the iron absorption was not decreased by pica.

In addition, low blood levels of iron commonly occur in pregnant women and those with poor nutrition, two populations at higher risk for pica. Such findings offer strong support of iron deficiency as a cause, rather than result, of pica. Other reports suggest that pica may have a psychological basis and may even fall into the spectrum of obsessive-compulsive disorder . Pica has a higher incidence in populations with an underlying diagnosis involving mental functioning. These diagnoses include psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, developmental disorders including autism, and conditions with mental retardation. These conditions are not characterized by iron deficiency, which supports a psychological component in the cause of pica. Cultural and religious traditions may also play a role in pica behavior. In some cultures, nonfood substances are believed to have positive health or spiritual effects. Among some African Americans in the south, ingesting a particular kind of white clay is believed to promote health and reduce morning sickness during pregnancy. Other cultures practice pica out of belief that eating a particular substance may promote fertility or bring good luck. The hallmark feature of pica, consistently consuming nonfood substances, often does not present publicly. People may be embarrassed to admit to these unusual eating habits, and may hide it from their family and physician.

In other cases, an individual may not report the pica to a physician simply because of a lack of knowledge of pica's potential medical significance. Because the eating behaviors of pica are not usually detected or reported, it is the complications of the behavior that bring it to attention. Complications vary, depending on the type of pica. Geophagia has potential side effects that most commonly affect the intestine and bowel. Complications can include constipation , cramping, pain, obstruction caused by formation of an indigestible mass, perforation from sharp objects like rocks or gravel, and contamination and infection from soil-dwelling parasites. Amylophagia usually involves the consumption of cornstarch and, less frequently, laundry starch. The high caloric content of starch can cause excessive weight gain, while at the same time leading to malnutrition , as starch contributes "empty" calories lacking vitamins and minerals . Amylophagia during pregnancy can mimic gestational diabetes in its presentation and even in its potential harmful effects on the fetus. Pica involving the ingestion of substances such as lead-based paint or paper containing mercury can cause symptoms of toxic poisoning .

Compulsive consumption of even a seemingly harmless substance like ice (pagophagia) can have negative side effects, including decreased absorption of nutrients by the gut. Diagnosis In order for the diagnosis of pica to be made, there must be a history of persistent consumption of a nonfood substance continuing for a minimum period of one month. Infants and toddlers are typically excluded from this diagnosis since mouthing objects is a normal developmental behavior at that age. Individuals with mental retardation who function at or below an approximate cognitive level of 18 months may also be exempt form this diagnosis. Pica is most often diagnosed when a report of such behaviors can be provided by the patient or documented by another individual. In other cases, pica is diagnosed after studies have been performed to assess the presenting symptoms. For example, imaging studies ordered to assess severe gastrointestinal complaints may reveal intestinal blockage with an opaque substance; such a finding is suggestive of pica. Biopsy of intestinal contents can also reveal findings, such as parasitic infection, consistent with pica. Pica may also be suspected if abnormal levels of certain minerals or chemicals are detected in the blood.

Pica in pregnant women is sometimes diagnosed after childbirth because of a health problem in the newborn caused by the substance(s) ingested by the mother. In one instance reported in Chicago, a newborn girl was treated for lead poisoning caused by her mother's eating fragments of lead-glazed pottery during pregnancy. Treatment Treatment of pica will often depend on the cause and type of pica. Conventional medical treatment may be appropriate in certain situations. For example, supplementation with iron-containing vitamins has been shown to cause the unusual cravings to subside in some iron-deficient patients. Medical complications and health threats, including high lead levels, bowel perforation or intestinal obstruction, will require additional medical management, beyond addressing the underlying issue of pica. Alternative treatment Because most cases of pica do not have an obvious medical cause, treatment with counseling, education, and nutritional management is often more successful and more appropriate than treatment with medication. Some therapists specializing in eating disorders may have expertise in treating pica. Prognosis The prognosis for individuals with pica varies greatly, according to the type and amount of substance ingested, the extent of presenting side effects, and the success of treatment.

Many of the side effects and complications of pica can be reversed once the behavior is stopped, while other complications, including infection and bowel perforation, pose significant health threats and if not successfully treated may result in death . When seen in children, pica behavior tends to lessen with age. However, individuals with a history of pica are more likely to experience it again. Counseling and nutritional education can reduce the risk of recurrence. Prevention There are no known methods of preventing pica. However, once pica is known or suspected, measures can be taken to reduce further ingestion of nonfood substances. Removing the particular substance from readily accessible areas can be helpful. Close observation of the individual with pica may limit inappropriate eating behaviors. Key terms Amylophagia — The compulsive eating of purified starch, typically cornstarch or laundry starch. Geophagia — The compulsive eating of earthy substances, including sand, soil, and clay. Pagophagia — The compulsive eating of ice. Resources Books American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed, revised. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 2000.

Beers, Mark H., MD, and Robert Berkow, MD., editors. "Anemias." In The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories, 2004. Beers, Mark H., MD, and Robert Berkow, MD., editors. "Malnutrition." Section 1, Chapter 2 In The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories, 2002. Periodicals Jackson, W. Clay. "Amylophagia Presenting as Gestational Diabetes." Archives of Family Medicine 9 (July 2000): 649-652. Kirschner, Jeffrey. "Management of Pica: A Medical Enigma." American Family Physician 63, no. 6 (March 15, 2001): 1169. Liappas, I. A., N. P. Dimopoulos, E. Mellos, et al.

"Oral Transmucosal Abuse of Transdermal Fentanyl." Journal of Psychopharmacology 18 (June 2004): 277-280. Moya, J., C. F. Bearer, and R. A. Etzel. "Children's Behavior and Physiology and How It Affects Exposure to Environmental Contaminants." Pediatrics 113 (April 2004): 996-1006. Mycyk, M. B., and J. B. Leikin. "Combined Exchange Transfusion and Chelation Therapy for Neonatal Lead Poisoning." Annals of Pharmacotherapy 38 (May 2004): 821-824. Organizations American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 3615 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016-3007. (202) 966-7300. Fax: (202) 966-2891.

Other Pica (Non-Prophet) Non-Prophet July 18, 2009 Pica Pica is a very strange eating disorder that causes people to crave things such as chalk. When will the mind run out of stuff this wacky? Wikipedia : Pica is a medical disorder characterized by an appetite for substances largely non-nutritive (e.g., clay, coal, soil, feces, chalk, paper, soap, mucus, ash, gum etc.) or an abnormal appetite for some things that may be considered foods, such as food ingredients (e.g., flour, raw potato, raw rice, starch, ice cubes, salt, blood). In order for these actions to be considered pica, they must persist for more than one month at an age where eating such objects is considered developmentally inappropriate. The condition's name comes from the Latin word for magpie, a bird which is reputed to eat almost anything. Pica is seen in all ages, particularly in pregnant women and small children, especially among children who are developmentally disabled, where it is the most common eating disorder.

Pica (eating disorder) | Burhani Natural Science No comments Pica is a complex behavior and refers to excessive / abnormal craving for normal food or for other substances not commonly regarded as food such as earth, charcoal, raw rice, ice etc. It has been around for more than 2000 years. First documented by Hippocrates as early as 4th century BC, pica is widespread across the globe and is associated with serious health problems. The disorder derives its name from a Latin word meaning magpie, a bird which, was known for its tendency to pick up a diversity of things to satisfy hunger or curiosity. Although the disorder has been around for some time now, our knowledge of pica is still poor. Most people who practice pica do not reveal it. Pica is mostly perceived as a mental illness by those who study it. Additionally, those who study pica are often biased and judgmental. Due to the above mentioned reasons, it continues to elude the treating physician and nutritionist. The most common type of pica known is intake of earth/soil. This list has now been extended to include substances like baby powder, ash, chalk, charcoal, ceramics, paper, paint, and ice.

Next commonly observed pica phenomenon is the consumption of uncooked starch such as corn starch, raw wheat flour, laundry starch and uncooked rice. Children and pregnant women have been widely reported to exhibit pica behavior. Pica in adult men is relatively uncommon. The reason for low incidence of pica among males could be attributed to its victims converting to smoking or chewing tobacco. The list of typical pica substances is mentioned below: Uncooked food substances: This represents edible substances, consumed in uncooked form by those who practice pica such as corn starch, flour, ice (ice and freezer frost) and uncooked rice. Non-food substances: This list includes substances that are normally non-edible and therefore, non-food items. Ash, baby powder, chalk, charcoal, earth/soil, pottery and plaster come under this category. Pica Eating Disorder Pica is a disorder that is related to eating. A person suffering from this disorder is compelled to eat things or substances that are not considered as “food”. These things or substances could be anything from chalk, plaster, clay, paint chips, dirt, ashes, leaves, gravel, to any kind of starch, rust, hair, feces, paper, buttons, soap, glue, and the like.

Usually children under the age of two are seen eating these kinds of substances but this is mainly due to being at that stage in life where they are exploring the world around them. But if children continue eating these substances even after the age of two, it would be a good idea to get them examined by a qualified physician. Eating any of these substances on a regular basis can and will have an adverse effect on the overall health of the child and will impede the child’s growth. There is no known cause for this disorder; however, certain mineral deficiencies such as iron and zinc might be the reason for this disorder to take root. Other causes that might lead to Pica are poor eating habits, non-availability of food, mental disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. In elders, a person would be diagnosed as suffering from Pica if the compulsion to eat the “non-food” items lasts for over a month. Most of these items or substances are easily digestible and therefore harmless. However, there are some that are toxic and contaminated; consuming these will cause some kind of medical emergency or even death. Some people tend to hide this disorder, while other are not bothered about it.

This compulsion to eat non-food item does not stop most people to eat a normal diet either. Most of the time, the existence of Pica is discovered when a person starts suffering from a health problem. Health problems such as intestines getting blocked, a tear appearing in the intestine, poisoning, injury to the teeth, and infection are some of the indicators of Pica. Therefore, if a person has had no health related problem for years, the existence of Pica will not be known. In order to treat this disorder, the physician will first need to determine the cause behind the compulsion to eat these things. Once the physician is able to determine whether the disorder is due to some kind of nutritional deficiency, medical problem, or due to some psychosomatic disorder, then an appropriate treatment can be devised and given to the person. Dr Nahida M Mulla. Pica is a disorder characterized by an appetite for substances largely non-nutritive, e.g. metal, clay, coal, soil, faeces, chalk, paper, soap, ash, gum etc. or an abnormal appetite for some things that may be considered foods such as flour, raw rice, starch, ice cubes, salt.

In order for these actions to be considered Pica, they must persist for more than one month at an age where eating such objects is considered developmentally inappropriate (above 18 to 24 months of age). Pica is seen in all the ages particularly in pregnant women, small children and those with developmental disabilities and mental retardation. Pica occurs throughout the world predominantly in people who live in poverty and people living in the tropics and in tribe oriented societies. Pica in children, while common, can be dangerous. Children eating painted plaster containing lead may suffer brain damage from lead poisoning. Causes: Pica ( Eating Disorder) | Find Me A Cure Find Me A Cure 4 Replies Definition: Pica is an eating disorder , appetite for non-nutritive substances (e.g., coal, soil, feces, chalk, paper etc.) or an abnormal appetite for some things that may be considered foods, such as food ingredients (e.g., flour, raw potato, starch ). In order for these actions to be considered pica, they must persist for more than one month, at an age where eating such objects is considered developmentally inappropriate.

The condition’s name comes from the Latin word for the magpie, a bird which is reputed to eat almost anything. Pica is seen in all ages, particularly in pregnant women and small children, especially among children who are developmentally disabled, where it is the most common eating disorder. Pica in children, while common, can be dangerous. Children eating painted plaster containing lead may suffer brain damage from lead poisoning. There is a similar risk from eating dirt near roads that existed prior to the phaseout of tetra-ethyl lead in gasoline or prior to the cessation of the use of contaminated oil (either used, or containing toxic PCBs or dioxin) to settle dust. In addition to poisoning, there is also a much greater risk of gastro-intestinal obstruction or tearing in the stomach. This is also true in animals. Another risk of dirt eating is the possible ingestion of animal feces and the accompanying parasites. Description: The puzzling phenomenon of pica has been recognized and described since ancient times. Pica has been observed in ethnic groups worldwide, in both primitive and modernized cultures, in both sexes, and in all age groups.

The word pica comes from the Latin name for magpie, a bird known for its unusual and indiscriminate eating habits. In addition to humans, pica has been observed in other animals, including the chimpanzee. Pica in humans has many different subgroups, defined by the substance that is ingested. Some of the most commonly described types of pica are eating earth, soil or clay (geophagia), ice (pagophagia) and starch (amylophagia). However, pica involving dozens of other substances, including cigarette butts and ashes, hair, paint chips, and paper have also been reported. The most common Types are: Key Terms: * Pagophagia The compulsive eating of ice. In one unusual case, the patient ingested transdermal patches of fentanyl, an opioid medication given for severe pain. Eating the skin patch increased the patient’s dose of the drug by a factor of 10.

Although pica can occur in individuals of any background, a higher incidence of pica is associated with: *pregnancy *developmental delay and mental retardation *psychiatric disease and autism *poor nutrition or low blood levels of iron and other minerals *certain cultural or religious traditions .CLICK & SEE Causes & Symptoms: The scant research that has been done on the root causes of pica suggests that the majority of those afflicted tend to suffer some biochemical deficiency and more often iron deficiency. The association between pica and iron deficiency anemia is so strong, that most patients with iron deficiency will admit to some form of pica.[citation needed] Often the substance eaten by those with the disorder does not contain the mineral of deficiency. If a mineral deficiency is not identified as the cause of pica, it often leads to a diagnosis as a mental disorder. Pica may also be a symptom of iron deficiency anemia secondary to hookworm infection. Symptoms may also include a pinkish hue to the skin, particularly around the mouth. Unlike in humans, in dogs or cats, pica may be a sign of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, especially when it involves eating substances such as tile grout, concrete dust, and sand.

Dogs exhibiting this form of pica should be tested for anemia with a CBC or at least hematocrit levels. Evidence suggests that there may be several causes of pica. One widely held theory points to iron deficiency as a major cause of pica. Several reports have described pica in individuals with documented iron deficiency, although there has been uncertainty as to whether the iron deficiency was a cause of pica or a result of it. Because some substances, such as clay, are believed to block the absorption of iron into the bloodstream, it was thought that low blood levels of iron could be the direct result of pica. However, some studies have shown that pica cravings in individuals with iron deficiency stop once iron supplements are given to correct the deficiency. Another study looked specifically at the rate of iron absorption during pica conditions and normal dietary behavior, and showed that the iron absorption was not decreased by pica. In addition, low blood levels of iron commonly occur in pregnant women and those with poor nutrition, two populations at higher risk for pica. Such findings offer strong support of iron deficiency as a cause, rather than result, of pica.

Other reports suggest that pica may have a psychological basis and may even fall into the spectrum of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Pica has a higher incidence in populations with an underlying diagnosis involving mental functioning. These diagnoses include psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, developmental disorders including autism, and conditions with mental retardation. These conditions are not characterized by iron deficiency, which supports a psychological component in the cause of pica. Cultural and religious traditions may also play a role in pica behavior. In some cultures, nonfood substances are believed to have positive health or spiritual effects. Among some African Americans in the south, ingesting a particular kind of white clay is believed to promote health and reduce morning sickness during pregnancy. Other cultures practice pica out of belief that eating a particular substance may promote fertility or bring good luck. The hallmark feature of pica, consistently consuming nonfood substances, often does not present publicly. People may be embarrassed to admit to these unusual eating habits, and may hide it from their family and physician. In other cases, an individual may not report the pica to a physician simply because of a lack of knowledge of pica’s potential medical significance.

Because the eating behaviors of pica are not usually detected or reported, it is the complications of the behavior that bring it to attention. Complications vary, depending on the type of pica. Geophagia has potential side effects that most commonly affect the intestine and bowel. Complications can include constipation, cramping, pain, obstruction caused by formation of an indigestible mass, perforation from sharp objects like rocks or gravel, and contamination and infection from soil-dwelling parasites. Amylophagia usually involves the consumption of cornstarch and, less frequently, laundry starch. The high caloric content of starch can cause excessive weight gain, while at the same time leading to malnutrition, as starch contributes “empty” calories lacking vitamins and minerals. Amylophagia during pregnancy can mimic gestational diabetes in its presentation and even in its potential harmful effects on the fetus. Pica involving the ingestion of substances such as lead-based paint or paper containing mercury can cause symptoms of toxic poisoning. Compulsive consumption of even a seemingly harmless substance like ice (pagophagia) can have negative side effects, including decreased absorption of nutrients by the gut.

Diagnosis: In order for the diagnosis of pica to be made, there must be a history of persistent consumption of a nonfood substance continuing for a minimum period of one month. Infants and toddlers are typically excluded from this diagnosis since mouthing objects is a normal developmental behavior at that age. Individuals with mental retardation who function at or below an approximate cognitive level of 18 months may also be exempt form this diagnosis. Pica is most often diagnosed when a report of such behaviors can be provided by the patient or documented by another individual. In other cases, pica is diagnosed after studies have been performed to assess the presenting symptoms. For example, imaging studies ordered to assess severe gastrointestinal complaints may reveal intestinal blockage with an opaque substance; such a finding is suggestive of pica. Biopsy of intestinal contents can also reveal findings, such as parasitic infection, consistent with pica. Pica may also be suspected if abnormal levels of certain minerals or chemicals are detected in the blood. Pica in pregnant women is sometimes diagnosed after childbirth because of a health problem in the newborn caused by the substance(s) ingested by the mother.

In one instance reported in Chicago, a newborn girl was treated for lead poisoning caused by her mother’s eating fragments of lead-glazed pottery during pregnancy. Treatment: Treatment emphasizes psychosocial, environmental, and family guidance approaches. Treatment options include: discrimination training between edible and nonedible items, self-protection devices that prohibit placement of objects in the mouth, sensory reinforcement involving screening (covering eyes briefly), contingent aversive oral taste (lemon), contingent aversive smell sensation (ammonia), contingent aversive physical sensation (water mist), brief physical restraint, and overcorrection (correct the environment, or practice appropriate or alternative responses). This involves associating negative consequences with eating non-food items and good consequences with normal behavior. Medications may be helpful in reducing the abnormal eating behavior if pica occurs in the course of a developmental disorder, such as mental retardation or pervasive developmental disorder. These conditions may be associated with severe behavioral disturbances, including pica. These medications enhance dopaminergic functioning, which is believed to be associated with the occurrence of pica. Medical complications and health threats, including high lead levels, bowel perforation or intestinal obstruction, will require additional medical management, beyond addressing the underlying issue of pica.

Alternative treatment: Because most cases of pica do not have an obvious medical cause, treatment with counseling, education, and nutritional management is often more successful and more appropriate than treatment with medication. Some therapists specializing in eating disorders may have expertise in treating pica. Prognosis: The prognosis for individuals with pica varies greatly, according to the type and amount of substance ingested, the extent of presenting side effects, and the success of treatment. Many of the side effects and complications of pica can be reversed once the behavior is stopped, while other complications, including infection and bowel perforation, pose significant health threats and if not successfully treated may result in death. When seen in children, pica behavior tends to lessen with age. However, individuals with a history of pica are more likely to experience it again. Counseling and nutritional education can reduce the risk of recurrence. Click to learn more about Pica & it’s treatment centres:->.. .(1).. … (2) …… .(3) Prevention: There are no known methods of preventing pica. However, once pica is known or suspected, measures can be taken to reduce further ingestion of nonfood substances. Removing the particular substance from readily accessible areas can be helpful.

Close observation of the individual with pica may limit inappropriate eating behaviors. Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.This is purely for educational purpose Resources: Pica – Homeopathy Treatment and Homeopathic Remedies | Homeopathy Home » Diseases & Treatment » Children's Diseases » Pica – Homeopathy Treatment and Homeopathic Remedies Pica – Homeopathy Treatment and Homeopathic Remedies Date: August 7, 2008 Author: Dr. Manish Bhatia Pica is a medical disorder characterized by an appetite for largely non-nutritive substances (e.g., coal, soil, feces, chalk, paper, etc.) or an abnormal appetite for some things that may be considered foods, such as food ingredients (e.g., flour, raw potato, starch, ice cubes).[1] In order for these actions to be considered pica, they must persist for more than one month, at an age where eating such objects is considered developmentally inappropriate.

The condition’s name comes from the Latin word for the magpie, a bird which is reputed to eat almost anything[1]. Pica is seen in all ages, particularly in pregnant women and small children, especially among children who are developmentally disabled, where it is the most common eating disorder[2]. Pica in children, while common, can be dangerous. Children eating painted plaster containing lead may suffer brain damage from lead poisoning. There is a similar risk from eating dirt near roads that existed prior to the phaseout of tetra-ethyl lead in gasoline or prior to the cessation of the use of contaminated oil (either used, or containing toxic PCBs or dioxin) to settle dust. In addition to poisoning, there is also a much greater risk of gastro-intestinal obstruction or tearing in the stomach. This is also true in animals. Another risk of dirt eating is the possible ingestion of animal feces and the accompanying parasites. Causes of Pica The scant research that has been done on the root causes of pica suggests that the majority of those afflicted tend to suffer some biochemical deficiency and more often iron deficiency. The association between pica and iron deficiency anemia is so strong that most patients with iron deficiency will admit to some form of pica.

Often the substance eaten by those with the disorder does not contain the mineral of deficiency. If a mineral deficiency is not identified as the cause of pica, it often leads to a diagnosis as a mental disorder. Pica may also be a symptom of iron deficiency anemia secondary to hookworm infection. Symptoms may also include a pinkish hue to the skin, particularly around the mouth. Unlike in humans, in dogs or cats, pica may be a sign of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, especially when it involves eating substances such as tile grout, concrete dust, and sand. Dogs exhibiting this form of pica should be tested for anemia with a CBC or at least hematocrit levels. [2][3] Treatment of Pica Treatment emphasizes psychosocial, environmental, and family guidance approaches. Treatment options include: discrimination training between edible and nonedible items, self-protection devices that prohibit placement of objects in the mouth, sensory reinforcement involving screening (covering eyes briefly), contingent aversive oral taste (lemon), contingent aversive smell sensation (ammonia), contingent aversive physical sensation (water mist), brief physical restraint, and overcorrection (correct the environment, or practice appropriate or alternative responses).

This involves associating negative consequences with eating non-food items and good consequences with normal behavior. Medications may be helpful in reducing the abnormal eating behavior if pica occurs in the course of a developmental disorder, such as mental retardation or pervasive developmental disorder. These conditions may be associated with severe behavioral disturbances, including pica. These medications enhance dopaminergic functioning, which is believed to be associated with the occurrence of pica. Examples Geophagy (consumption of soil, clay, or chalk) Consumption of dust or sand has been reported among iron deficient patients. Vampirism (ingestion of blood) Pagophagia (pathological consumption of ice) Self-cannibalism (rare condition where body parts may be consumed; see also Lesch-Nyhan syndrome) Trichophagia (consumption of hair or wool) Urophagia (consumption of urine) Xylophagia (consumption of wood) Popular culture Michel Lotito has made a career in entertainment of eating chopped “inedibles” like a Cessna 150 small airplane. A patient suffering from Pica was featured in the season four premiere of Grey’s Anatomy.

Jimmy Kimmel has suggested several times in his stand up that G. Gordon Liddy suffers from pica and, as such, may have been Deep Throat. In the House episode “Lines in the Sand,” a severely autistic boy with pica is diagnosed with raccoon roundworms that he acquired from eating the sand in his sandbox. In the book One Hundred Years of Solitude, Rebeca eats earth and whitewash. In Chapter 26 of John Steinbeck’s Pulitzer Prize winning 1939 novel, The Grapes of Wrath, the pregnant and malnourished Rose of Sharon is caught eating “a piece of slack lime” and her mother admits to eating coal when she was pregnant.(Read at Archive.org) Kristen Bell had unofficially declared on the Late Show with David Letterman her black lab suffers from Pica, having eaten, for example, shards of glass, bottles and so on and so forth. Homeopathy Treatment for Pica Keywords: homeopathy, homeopathic, treatment, cure, remedy, remedies, medicine Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition.

The homeopathic medicines are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution, family history, presenting symptoms, underlying pathology, possible causative factors etc. A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) is also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions. A homeopathy doctor tries to treat more than just the presenting symptoms. The focus is usually on what caused the disease condition? Why ‘this patient’ is sick ‘this way’. The disease diagnosis is important but in homeopathy, the cause of disease is not just probed to the level of bacteria and viruses. Other factors like mental, emotional and physical stress that could predispose a person to illness are also looked for. No a days, even modern medicine also considers a large number of diseases as psychosomatic. The correct homeopathy remedy tries to correct this disease predisposition. The focus is not on curing the disease but to cure the person who is sick, to restore the health. If a disease pathology is not very advanced, homeopathy remedies do give a hope for cure but even in incurable cases, the quality of life can be greatly improved with homeopathic medicines.

The homeopathic remedies (medicines) given below indicate the therapeutic affinity but this is not a complete and definite guide to the homeopathy treatment of this condition. The symptoms listed against each homeopathic remedy may not be directly related to this disease because in homeopathy general symptoms and constitutional indications are also taken into account for selecting a remedy. To study any of the following remedies in more detail, please visit the Materia Medica section at None of these medicines should be taken without professional advice and guidance. Homeopathy Remedies for Pica : Alum., alumn., calc., calc-p., chel., cic., con., ferr., hep., hyos., ign., nat-m., nit-ac., nux-v., oci., psor., sil., sulph., tarent. References ^ emedince.com article on “Eating Disorder: Pica” ^ Plunkett, Signe J. (2000). Emergency Procedures for the Small Animal Veterinarian. Elsevier Health Sciences, 11. ISBN 0702024872. ^ Feldman, Bernard F.; Joseph G. Zinkl, Nemi Chand Jain, Oscar William Schalm (2000).

Schalm’s Veterinary Hematology. Blackwell Publishing, 506. ISBN 0683306928. Pica Disorder | Tweak3D Pica Disorder Discussion in ' Off-Topic ' started by Coleman , Feb 3, 2010 . Coleman fresh off the corner Messages: ) Pica Disorder: Pica is a medical disorder characterized by an appetite for substances largely non-nutritive (e.g. metal (coins, etc), clay, coal, soil, feces, chalk, paper, soap, mucus, ash, gum, etc.) or an abnormal appetite for some things that may be considered foods, such as food ingredients (e.g., flour, raw potato, raw rice, starch, ice cubes, salt).[1] In order for these actions to be considered pica, they must persist for more than one month at an age where eating such objects is considered developmentally inappropriate. The condition's name comes from the Latin word for magpie, a bird which is reputed to eat almost anything.[2] Pica is seen in all ages, particularly in pregnant women, small children, and those with developmental disabilities. Click to expand...

I know a few of you browse reddit so this may be old news but I felt as though I had to share this with you all. Apparently, it is pretty popular amongst these Pica people to eat this Pregnant women and their love for Comet cleaner I have been eating it for about 6 1/2 years now. It started when I was about 7 months pregnant with my first son. I like the green comet. I love smelling it. I mix it with soem water and let it dry, my mouth just waters knowing that its drying and being prepared, once its solid I break it up into little crunchy crumbs. I hide it in a cup from others and I mucnh on it all day usinga small straw. I have tried to stop using it the past few days and have avoided that aisle for about a month now. Its just something about the way it hits my teeth and the smell and taste.. Click to expand... I have this problem too. I remember also, tasting comet and Ajax as a child. I use to see my cousin eat them. I thought it was nasty. Strangely, when I was pregnant with my son, 2 years ago, this crazy craving of tasting comet started.

I would sneak into bathroom and pour a little in my hand a lick away. I use to feel guilty about it. I stopped, but there was point where I would do this several times for the day. During last stages of pregnancy, I quit because of fear of harming baby. Then recently my cravings have appeared and it is worse. I now like Ajax and I want it all the time. My family has caught me eating Ajax; I like to eat as soon as I come home from work. While I am cooking or cleaning in the kitchen. I research all the time to see what side effects can happen but to my avail I find nothing. I am concerned because I want to stop, but hard. Everyday I say today is the last time I am going to eat it. I noticed that the amount I eat get larger. It's all right to see that I am not the only one. Click to expand... Ten pound hairball removed from girls stomach.... - Friends and Family Forum Ten pound hairball removed from girls stomach....

User Name News and Current Events Discuss news and current events Surgeons removed a massive 10-pound hairball from the stomach of an 18-year-old girl suffering from a psychological condition in which she ate her own hair, according to a report in this week's edition of the New England Journal of Medicine. The teen went to her doctor after complaining of stomach pains and vomiting. She had also lost 40 pounds over a five-month period, according to a UPI report. Click here for a picture (warning: graphic) Doctors at Rush Medical Center in Chicago carried out a scan and were amazed to find the huge mass of hair blocking her entire stomach, according to NEJM. The hairball measured 15 inches by 7 inches by 7 inches when it was removed. Once the hairball was removed, the patient was discharged and given psychiatric help. A year later the teenager has gained 20 pounds and has stopped eating her hair, the journal said. __________________ elaine Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life. -- Dr.

David Burns elaine Posts: 9,324 Re: Ten pound hairball removed from girls stomach.... Pica is a medical disorder characterized by an appetite for substances largely non-nutritive (e.g., clay, coal, soil, feces, chalk, paper, soap, mucus, ash, gum etc.) or an abnormal appetite for some things that may be considered foods, such as food ingredients (e.g., flour, raw potato, starch, ice cubes, salt, blood).[1] In order for these actions to be considered pica, they must persist for more than one month at an age where eating such objects is considered developmentally inappropriate. The condition's name comes from the Latin word for magpie, a bird which is reputed to eat almost anything[1]. Pica is seen in all ages, particularly in pregnant women and small children, especially among children who are developmentally disabled, where it is the most common eating disorder[2]. snafu Black People : - Black women eating chalk???

| Black Community Discussion Forum Black Community Discussion Forum Ratings: +5,448 I have been watching some shows about strange things that people like to eat and one that I have noticed a more than one occasion is that I see a lot of black women eating chalk... Seen most often in African American women, the habit usually begins in childhood or during pregnancy, when the female is introduced to the practice by other family members. Sometimes, the women stop after childbirth, but more often, the habit continues. The ingestion of chalk is rarely seen in men or non-African Americans. Do you know of anyone who eats chalk? $$RICH$$ Lyon King Admin. STAFF Country: Ratings: +4,182 wow...what they think it's a candy cane or something this can't be health for no woman who is about to bare child ! No, I don't no not one person who did this but know lots of them who eat starch Ratings: +112 I have to say I think it is bizarre, but, if you think about it kids do it all the time.

I remember putting coins in my mouth and ***** willow buds (both of which freaked my mom out and she had to remove the objects from my mouth via tweezers.) I think for kids, mouthing things is a normal way of exploring the world, but eating odd substances such as chalk is just beyond me. Pica (pronounced /ˈpaɪkə/ PYE-kə) is a medical disorder characterized by an appetite for substances largely non-nutritive (e.g. metal [coins, etc.], clay, coal, soil, feces, chalk, paper, soap, mucus, ash, gum, etc.) or an abnormal appetite for some things that may be considered foods, such as food ingredients (e.g. flour, raw potato, raw rice, starch, ice cubes, salt).[1] In order for these actions to be considered pica, they must persist for more than one month at an age where eating such objects is considered developmentally inappropriate. The condition's name comes from the Latin word for magpie, a bird that is reputed to eat almost anything.[2][3] Pica is seen in all ages, particularly in pregnant women, small children, and those with developmental disabilities.

+5,448 SophiaG said: ↑ I have to say I think it is bizarre, but, if you think about it kids do it all the time. I remember putting coins in my mouth and ***** willow buds (both of which freaked my mom out and she had to remove the objects from my mouth via tweezers.) I think for kids, mouthing things is a normal way of exploring the world, but eating odd substances such as chalk is just beyond me. Pica (pronounced /?pa?k?/ PYE-k?) is a medical disorder characterized by an appetite for substances largely non-nutritive (e.g. metal [coins, etc.], clay, coal, soil, feces, chalk, paper, soap, mucus, ash, gum, etc.) or an abnormal appetite for some things that may be considered foods, such as food ingredients (e.g. flour, raw potato, raw rice, starch, ice cubes, salt).[1] In order for these actions to be considered pica, they must persist for more than one month at an age where eating such objects is considered developmentally inappropriate.

The condition's name comes from the Latin word for magpie, a bird that is reputed to eat almost anything.[2][3] Pica is seen in all ages, particularly in pregnant women, small children, and those with developmental disabilities.

Question: Taking its name from the Latin word for magpie, what medical disorder is characterized by an appetite for non-nutritive substances (e.g., clay)?
Answer: Pica